I read somewhere that the 3.41 files on Sony's server are actually 3.42, so you'll have to download it from somewhere else (such as this site).

This is not true. The firmware at the sony site for 3.41 still has a md5sum of e07d2b84c9e9691c261b73e5f1aada20.

[edit] Obviously, it'd be wise to double check the md5sum yourself just in case they do now change the image. They do have that ability as 3.41 was reissued after the first firmware broke a number of PS3s.

well the one upside i see currently is that if your jailbreak is currently unusable because youve updated to 3.42 (as i foolishly did) you might as well update to 3.5 and have the added 3d support when a new jailbreak comes out they'll no doubt cover 3.5 as well as 3.42.

WRONG!

Higher the version of FW you'll update to the lesser the chance to get that crack soon (if ever) so don't keep up your hopes - even 3.42 might be hard nut to crak and I bet Sony made even more security improvements with 3.50 just to asure it will be protected.

Bottom line - it you're planning to use JB stay as low as possible with your FW or just go and buy new PS3 while those in stores are still around 3.30 to 3.40 versions

This is not true. The firmware at the sony site for 3.41 still has a md5sum of e07d2b84c9e9691c261b73e5f1aada20.

[edit] Obviously, it'd be wise to double check the md5sum yourself just in case they do now change the image. They do have that ability as 3.41 was reissued after the first firmware broke a number of PS3s.